O’Dowda targets three points in anniversary celebrations

Callum O’Dowda is relishing the occasion and eyes the three points to top off what promises to be an exciting day on and off the pitch for supporters.

O’Dowda is now into his fourth season in BS3 and even in that time he says the place has “come on leaps and bounds”.

Watch: O'Dowda previews Fulham test

Previewing this weekend’s Sky Bet Championship fixture with Scott Parker’s side, the winger said: “I’m expecting it will be a good crowd at Ashton Gate obviously to celebrate the history of Ashton Gate and Bristol City as a club. But it’s definitely over the last few years it has really come on since I’ve been here.

“Looking at what’s happening with the training ground, the stadium, it’s come on leaps and bounds and even the players we have here I think it’s an extremely strong squad, so I think promotion would really top it off. It will be a great occasion, but we need the three points more importantly.”

Last time out saw City earn a good point away to Millwall to put an end to a run of three defeats in a row.

It was a match where City showed more of what they are about and O’Dwoda wants to see more of that come Saturday lunchtime.

He said: “I think if you’re looking at our identity, I think it was difficult for us [compared] to how it [was] in the previous games. Obviously, we lost to Leeds and West Brom, Huddersfield was another disappointing one and we know that as players; it’s the worst thing ever for us, especially because we live football.

“This is our lives and like the fans we live and breathe it and we care so much about it. But that’s what we wanted to do, in our previous game against Millwall, yes we drew against them, [but] I think we started off really well in the first half, the second half not as good if I’m being honest, but it was us getting back to what we’re good at.”

He still expects a tough game against a high-flying Fulham team, which could feature Academy graduate Bobby Reid (Joe Bryan is ruled out through injury), but can home advantage, on a day where fans will revel in nostalgia and mark the club’s stamp on the city, make the difference?

“Especially going into this Fulham game, we know it will be tough as well because they are up there like Millwall,” O’Dowda said. “We know it’s going to be a different game, we’ll be back at Ashton Gate so we’ll prefer that as well and enjoy what we’re good at: total attack football, exciting the fans and it will be a good game.”

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